Genre

Do you know your genre?

I knew my overall genre when I began writing, but I didn’t realize how many sub-genres existed. Or where my work even fit.

Knowing your exact genre is important though. Querying takes time and effort – you want to send your work to those publishers and agents who are looking for your genre. If you’re self-publishing, you have some leeway, but you still need to be able to describe the genre. (Even if it’s partially made up!)

Sometimes a manuscript crosses several genres. Then it’s up to you to select which overall genre best describes it and then look for the sub-genres.

Genre is just as important when it comes to promoting your book. If you’re looking for sites to feature it or host a blog tour, you can narrow the field down by genre. You want to put your book where readers of your genre will find it.

It also helps to think where your book bleeds into other genres. You might have a far wider readership than you think. (Sometimes it might surprise you – I know I was surprised!)

I write science fiction – space opera, and my books have elements ranging from military to romance to middle grade to character-driven. What’s your genre?

A to Z Challenge